人種差別を禁止する法律さえまだない日本では、賃貸などにおいて「外国人お断り」といった差別行為がいまだに横行している。しかし日本は国際人種差別撤廃条約を批准しており、日本国憲法は人種差別を禁止しているのだから、これは明らかに違憲、違法な沖縄差別、レイシズムである。
たとえばカナダに住む自分が日系の新聞社に勤めていてそれを理由に賃貸を断られたら、ただちに州の人権裁判所に持ち込むであろう。
沖縄は日本の一つの県であるが、独自の歴史、文化、言語を持つ地域であり、もとは独立王国であったところ日本に植民支配され、その地出身の人が日本本土で差別を受けてきたという歴史がある。その差別は今も米軍基地の大半を押し付けるという形で続いているのだ。
だから、その地の名「琉球」を冠した、その地を代表するメディアの一つである新聞社の社員が、その社の構成員であるという理由で賃貸拒否されたということは、その地とその地の人々に対する差別行為である、つまりレイシズムであるということは明らかだ。
これは絶対に看過してはいけない人権侵害事件である。このような差別を行った者は法的、社会的に処罰を受けるのは当然であり、内外のメディアも最大限に取り上げてほしい。
もちろんこれは沖縄に対する差別だけではなく、在日コリアンの人々、在日外国人の人々など日本における少数派に対するすべての差別をなくしていくためのウェークアップ・コール（警鐘）となるべきものと思う。
@PeacePhilosophpy ブログ管理人 乗松聡子
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| 『琉球新報』３月２０日８面より |
English Summary
ReplyDeleteIn a column by Okinawan editor ARAKAKI Tsuyoshi dated March 20, he writes of how his application to rent an apartment was denied because "We don't rent to people associated with Ryukyu Shimpo." As Arakaki points out, Japan does not have any laws barring racial discrimination and it is still common for apartments and condominiums to have policies of "No Foreigners Allowed." On the other hand, Japan is a signatory to the international treaty for the abolition of racial discrimination, and such discrimination is forbidden by Japan's constitution. Arakaki makes clear that his treatment represents a case of racism against Okinawans. He compares how easily he could seek redress if he were denied an apartment in Canada because of affiliation with a Japanese newspaper. In Canada, the denial would be seen as a violation of Arakaki's human rights.
Although Okinawa is a Japanese prefecture, it has its own unique history, culture and language. It was previously known as the Ryukyu Kingdom before being invaded and colonized by Japan. There is a history on the Japanese mainland of discriminating against Okinawans. Now, such discrimination continues through the practice of pushing the majority of US military bases onto Okinawa.
Consequently, when an employee of a news organ, which uses the name "Ryukyu," and which represents that land, is denied the right to rent an apartment because he belongs to such an organization, that is an act of discrimination against the land and the people who inhabit it. In other words, it is an act of unmistakable racism.
This violation of human rights must not be condoned. The people who have done this naturally should be legally and socially punished, and this case should be publicized inside and outside Japan.
We must fight to eliminate racism against not only Okinawans, but also against other minorities in Japan such as resident Koreans and resident foreigners.
Thanks for the summary in English. Allow me to make a correction that from the second line of your summary, "Arakaki" has to be replaced by "Norimatsu," because the comments on Arakaki's column was written by Satoko Oka Norimatsu, myself, who is the owner of this blog. But thank you for your comments, and yes we must together fight against racism.
DeleteIs this really a case of racism? I would hesitate to rent my house to a newscaster of FOX News..Am I a racist?
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